Watch out Pumpkin Spice Latte, chai is here to stay!
Thursday, Aug. 22 marked the launch of Starbucks’ first fall drop featuring pumpkin galore and a new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Chai. This drink comes after last year’s edition of the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai which saw particular craze online, with the hashtag “#pumpkinchai” racking in over 3,000 posts on TikTok.
Both the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai and Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Chai originated as popular customer combinations before making their way onto menus nationwide, according to Starbucks’ news release. Both drinks feature a chai base with a flavored cold foam topping and are available for a limited time for the fall launch.
However, chai-based drinks have emerged on menus beyond their fall drop. Last winter, Starbucks launched a Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai for their holiday menu.
(media by Dee Lee)
They’re no stranger to cold foam toppings as well, with the addition of their lavender-flavored foam that launched last spring. It’s clear that the chai and cold foam trends are not going anywhere.
“I order [the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai] with foam on top because it’s really good with the foam on top,” Rebecca Grapp ‘26 said.
Personally, I find the fall chai drinks miles better than the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I order my Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai in a Grande with two pumps of their seasonal Apple Brown Sugar syrup. The drink is a little sweet, but it’s every great part of fall wrapped up into one cup. I have yet to try the other drinks and items, but the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai is definitely my favorite.
“I love Starbucks’ pumpkin chais. They’re so yummy,” Tori Greer ‘25 said. “It’s just different than all the other drinks and it has a great flavor.”
Are you team PSL or Pumpkin Chai? Let us know in the comments below.
